Apparently, I have Pulmonary edema...which financially, has forced me to delay my label/distro/zine activities for the immediate future...which causes fluid build up and swelling in the lungs. I have my surgery next week...but the doctors are not helpful at all, and said it might not repair all the damage.

Does anyone know how life/health threatening it can be if untreated or not completely fixed? I'd ask a REAL professional, but I have no health care and doctors in Florida are completely worthless._________________http://csp.circleofdestruction.net
Carnal Sadist Productions

I am leary about going to the net for medical sources. My advice, stay the fuck away from the net for medical info. You might have a hangnail, goggle it, and get trapped in a series of links that will have you dead in 24 hours. A someone in the Field, I do know it is treatable if caught early enough. I know this sounds stupid, but during my meditation session tonight I will send positive vibes your way. Take care....

Hey now gang, there's nothing wrong with being positive when faced with a medical problem. I know a tibetan monk that after retreats of 2 years comes out, eats some count chocula and spins some black witchery.

How does anyone manage in the US ?
Is personal health insurance really that expensive ?

We have a truly fucked system in this country.
Corporations like walmart let people work 36 hours a week (just under the minimum amount) so they can get around providing health insurance. This is common practice here. And when you buy your own plan it can cost as much as 600.00 a month for a family of three. When you do get sick, a massive deductible follows. Really fucked up

How does anyone manage in the US ?
Is personal health insurance really that expensive ?

We have a truly fucked system in this country.
Corporations like walmart let people work 36 hours a week (just under the minimum amount) so they can get around providing health insurance. This is common practice here. And when you buy your own plan it can cost as much as 600.00 a month for a family of three. When you do get sick, a massive deductible follows. Really fucked up

I got laid off not too long ago because of "budget issues" and now my insurance (if I choose to continue it) will be $1050 a month...

For the past couple of years my wife and I paid for our insurance outside of work and it was $250 a month; not terrible, but our actual coverage was atrocious. No co-pays, no doctor visits and top it off with a $5000 deductible. So basically, if one of us got sick and needed to see the doctor, we paid out of pocket. The insurance was only going to be helpful if something catastrophic happened.

Luckily now my wife works for the state, so we have state benefits. Much better.